radiate ligament
Last reviewed 01/2018
The radiate ligament is a support for the joint of the heads of the ribs. It consists of 3 parts each having one insertion into the anterior surface of the body of the head:
- upper fibres: pass to the inferolateral surface of the body of the vertebra above the rib's corresponding vertebra
- middle fibres:
- pass horizontally superficial to the intervertebral disc and deep to the anterior longitudinal ligament on the front of the vertebral bodies
- blend with the anterior surface of the intervertebral disc
- merge with fibres from the other side
- this type of structure is termed a hypochordal bow
- inferior fibres: pass to the superolateral surface of the body of the corresponding thoracic vertebra